Scientists have presented an alternative to painkillers-opioids

Pain, a universal human reaction, often requires relief that does not worsen well-being with side effects. Traditional opioids, while effective, carry with them many risks. However, scientists have recently created an alternative that does not have such flaws.

This is what Duke University writes about.

SBI-810 is an experimental drug developed by researchers at Duke University School of Medicine, led by Ru-Rong Ji, PhD. A study detailing its development and effects has been published in the journal Cell.

Unlike opioids, which flood the nervous system, SBI-810 acts more purposefully. It activates the only way to block pain in the brain and spinal cord, avoiding the “high” that can lead to abuse. Such a selective approach can make it much safer for patients, the authors believe.

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In laboratory tests on mice, SBI-810 relieved pain after surgery, bone injury, and nerve damage. It worked as well or even better than several existing medications, including gabapentin, which is commonly used to treat nerve pain. But SBI-810 did not cause drowsiness or memory problems, which often occur when taking this drug. Even after repeated use, it did not lose its effect, unlike opioids, which usually become less effective over time.

One of the unique features of the drug is its ability to enhance the effects of opioids when used together, the scientists said. This may mean that doctors will be able to prescribe lower doses of them, while providing patients with the necessary pain relief. In the trials, mice given both drugs showed fewer signs of stress and discomfort than mice given opioids alone.

The mode of action of SBI-810 makes it so promising. It acts on a receptor in the nervous system called neurotensin receptor 1. By activating a signal known as Beta-arrestin-2, it blocks pain without affecting the parts of the brain that cause addiction or other problems. This combination of precision and power may be what the field of pain medicine has been waiting for.

However, the scientists’ development still has a long way to go — human trials have not yet begun, but the first results are so convincing that the university has already filed several patents. With more than 80,000 Americans dying from opioid overdoses each year, and millions of people affected by chronic pain, the search for safer alternatives such as SBI-810 is becoming more urgent than ever. Pain, a universal human reaction, often requires relief that does not worsen well-being with side effects. Traditional opioids, while effective, carry with them many risks. However, scientists have recently created an alternative that does not have such flaws.